The PR chief of Bethesda has apologized to players on PlayStation 4 and 5 for not being able to play Starfield, the new sci-fi epic. However, Pete Hines makes it clear: While they regret that these players feel bad, they do not apologize for the exclusivity of the new game. It is meant to be released only for PC and Xbox.
This is the situation:
- At E3 2021, Bethesda presented the new sci-fi RPG “Starfield.” The game is considered a kind of unofficial successor to The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and is expected to be similarly “epic.” Starfield is set to be released in 2022.
- While Skyrim was released in 2011 and Fallout 4 in 2015 for all platforms, times have changed : Microsoft purchased Bethesda for $7.5 billion. Therefore, Starfield is supposed to be exclusive to PC and Xbox and not for PlayStation 4 and 5.
- In an interview, Hines then apologized to players on PS4 and PS5. However, many did not understand the apology. Now Hines explains exactly what he means.
“If you want to play Starfield: PC and Xbox. Sorry”
This was Hines’ apology: In an interview with Tamoor Hussain (GameSpot), Pete Hines said:
“I don’t know how to reassure PS5 players other than to say: I am also a PS5 player and I have played games there and will continue to do so, but if you want to play Starfield: PC and Xbox. Sorry. All I can say is: I apologize.”
Pete Hines, Bethesda Vice President, responsible for PR and Marketing
This was the reaction: There were several reactions to the statement. Many did not understand the apology. On Twitter, users commented:
- “People need to deal with it. There’s no reason to apologize.”
- “Exclusive titles are normal. Why should one apologize for that?”
- However, people also post statements from Xbox chief Phil Spencer, who said “exclusive titles are against what gaming stands for.”
Most believe that Bethesda and Xbox should not apologize for anything: Sony has been withholding titles from Xbox users for a long time. What seems to hurt fans the most is not getting “Spiderman.”
I’m sorry for our fans, but I am not apologizing for exclusivity
This is what Hines says now: He reacted to the many tweets and commented again (via twitter):
“I am not apologizing for exclusivity.
I am not obliged to do anything.
Some of our fans were angry/upset, and I am sorry for them. That is not wrong or strange. I just acknowledge their feelings.
That’s it. That’s what I meant.”
Pete Hines
This is what lies behind it: When it became known that Microsoft was acquiring Bethesda, it was clear that new titles like The Elder Scrolls 6, Redfall or Starfield would become exclusive. And “exclusive” actually only means: They will not be available for PlayStation.
This feeling of “I want to play a game, but I can’t” is not something PlayStation players usually experience, so some are upset about it. However, they have to be reminded in every discussion that Sony has always relied on exclusivity.
It also seems unusual for Bethesda now that they suddenly have to tell part of the player base: “You stay out here.”
This is something that apparently is honestly difficult for people like Hines and is a new experience for Bethesda. They cannot change “exclusivity” as a concept because it was certainly an important part of the massive billion-dollar deal with Microsoft.
Another approach than Hines was used by one of the heads of Bethesda, Todd Howard:
Bethesda boss explains why it’s good that Starfield isn’t coming to PS5
